NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – New York City’s iconic horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park are no longer allowed to board on the street, and their drivers are not happy about the change.

Hours after going into effect, those new rules were already causing controversy.

While some are calling it a victory for animal rights, others say it puts the animals in even more danger.

The horse-drawn carriages took their usual route through New York City traffic to come to work, but instead of parking along Central Park South, the carriage stands are now at various entrances in the park.

Department of Transportation crews were still working Friday morning to create barriers for the new carriage stands. Among the complaints is that the new location between the barrier and white lines is not big enough.

For now carriages are parked on the other side of the street.

Carriage drivers also say their routes have to be longer because of the location and the new rules have shortened their work hours costing the industry even more money.

“This is a way to make things safer and more humane for everyone,” Edita Birnkrant, executive director of New York Class argued. “I think all the manufactured hysteria is just that: It’s a refusal to adapt to a changing city. This is a very minor change.”

Supporters are applauding the change, claiming a horse could easily be spooked by the growing traffic and noise at their old location. There were 20 collisions with carriages in the last two years.

“Anyone who stands at 59th Street and sees the constant traffic knows that no sensitive being like a horse should be stuck there nine hours day and night,” Birnkrant added.

Mayor de Blasio campaigned on the issue when he first ran for office, but little has been done since he took office.